Onell A. Ruiz Medina, 44, and Rolando Cotto Vega, 19, both from San Juan, face criminal charges for fraud, aggravated illegal appropriation, and receiving, disposing of, and transporting stolen goods. They allegedly used a fake card and identification to buy $40,267 worth of heavy equipment in Arecibo on September 11, 2026. The suspects then tried to sell part of the property on social media.
Agent Osvaldo Acevedo Soto, from the Arecibo area's R.E.P.A.P.D. division, contacted the suspects, who led him to a location in San Juan where some of the property was found, resulting in their arrest. The case was reviewed by prosecutor Lucianne M. Sánchez Serrano, who filed the charges. Judge Mirna Soliván Plau set a $45,000 bail for each suspect, who were jailed in Bayamón after failing to post bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026. The police investigation suggests the suspects may be part of an organization that commits fraud using fake bank cards and identifications, targeting merchants with initially approved but later rejected transactions, allowing them to keep the goods.